HENNING Berg's first game in charge of Blackburn Rovers ended in misery as his side were comprehensively beaten by Crystal Palace for their first away league defeat of the season.

A goal in each half from Glenn Murray was enough to condemn a poor Rovers to defeat, with the Palace striker spurning a hat trick chance from the penalty spot.

Dickson Etuhu headed against the bar for the visitors in the opening half, with Ruben Rochina also hitting the woodwork after the break, but Rovers otherwise were non existent as an attacking force.

In a one-sided first half, Rovers could probably count themselves fortunate to go in just 1-0 down.

Wilfried Zaha was a constant threat on the left wing, although teenager Adam Henley defended him well, while Yannick Bolasie caused problems on the opposite flank.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson saved well from Glenn Murray, Bolasie and Owen Garvan as Palace were given too much time and space on the ball.

Rovers almost took the lead against the run of play on 26 minutes with Dickson Etuhu powering a header against the bar from Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner.

Palace did take the lead in first half injury time when an unmarked Murray met Garvan's right wing cross to head home.

Palace continued to dominate after the break with Bolasie going close in the first 10 minutes of the half, and only some brave defending from Grant Hanley stopping Murray from scoring his second.

Pedersen saw a fierce volley well turned away by Julian Speroni on a rare Rovers attack on 58, but it wasn't long before the hosts put themselves in control.

Murray got past Grant Hanley too easily and referee Lee Probert had no choice but to point to the penalty spot after the defender hauled him down. Murray picked himself up to double the Eagles' lead from the spot.

The Palace striker should have been celebrating his hat trick just minutes later, after Bolasie was tripped in the penalty area by Henley.

Murray's spot kick was brilliantly saved by Robinson and the Rovers keeper reacted quickly to save his rebound effort as well.

Ruben Rochina almost gave Rovers a lifeline on 81 with a fierce strike that cannoned off the cross bar but the visitors never really threatened a come back.